In the Rough - Joining Instructions

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Upon Arrival

Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club
On arrival at the resort you need to make your way to the marquee
- The marquee is situated to the far left corner of the resort, on arrival after you’ve parked your car, follow the road/path that runs to the left of the main building, 150 yards past the pro shop on the right you will see the marquee. There will be directional signage to help you.

Golf Club Bag Drop and Parking
- Parking is free and plentiful and you can’t miss it on arrival. There are a handful of electric charge points located towards the front and centre.
- Feel free to bring your clubs and kit to the marquee and deposit outside (if the weather remains dry) if you plan to stay in that area until we start or will be arriving close to tee off time. Changing rooms are located nearby the marquee.
- If you plan to visit the driving range once you’ve registered you might want to leave your clubs in your vehicle. The car park is much closer to the driving range than the marquee.

ESSA registration, breakfast and live electronic scoring (0900 - 1030)
- Please ensure that you come and register at the ESSA Desk in the marquee and say hello so that we know you are here! We’ll be using the courses mobile scoring system this year, so you’ll be able to view live leader-boards on your device anywhere on the course and see who’s winning up until the last 3 holes when we take down the system so not to spoil the evening surprise.
- The scoring system will be run via your own mobile device so at least one of your team will need to download the course scoring app on arrival. This will all be explained on the day. Your names, teams and handicaps will have all been pre-loaded, hence the need to have the correct details of each golfer in advance.
- Handicaps can be adjusted on the day prior to starting. If you see something wrong with yours or any teams members handicaps please speak to a member of the team before you start.

Driving Range (until 10.15 am)
- For the early birds and those who wish to go over to the driving range to get in some early morning practice. We would ask you return to the marquee for 10.15 am ready for the Golfer's Briefing.

Hotel Check In
- If you’re playing and are staying at the main resort you will need to check in between finishing your round and the evening awards.

Charity Partners

This year’s Golf Day will proudly support the Ride to Live Challenge, being undertaken by ESSA Chair Rob Brackstone in August 2025. All funds raised will be donated to the British Heart Foundation.

Rob is taking on this challenge in memory of Paul Eames—a close friend, business partner, and long-time supporter of ESSA. We are honoured to contribute to this cause in his name.

Information for Golfers and Team Sheet

Golfers Briefing (10.30am)
- Please be present for the golfers briefing held in the marquee after which you’ll be lead out to the course for the shotgun start.

Full Handicap
- This year In the Rough 2024 will be a Full Handicap Tournament. The Golf Pro's decision will be final.

Shotgun Start (11.00am)
- Download Team Sheet - Team sheet last updated; 09/07/2025
- Course Map

Half Way House
- There is a half way house on hole 10 with refreshments for purchase

Tee Competitions

There will be various golf competitions along the way, ie nearest the pin, longest drives and we ask that you do not remove the competition markers - thank you. These will be collected by the Golf Ops Team at the end of play.

There are competitions on the following tees

Tee 1	Longest Drive with Plastic Clubs
Tee 8	Nearest the Pin
Tee 9	Closest the pin
Tee 14	Longest Drive with reverse hand
Tee 17	Longest Drive

Golf Buggies

Golf Buggies can be hired from the Pro Shop (01676 526113) Please note they are in limited supply.

Post Golf

Drinks Reception (7.00 pm)
- This will be held in the marquee terrace at 7.00 pm. This is the same location as registration.
- Sponsored by
- Pre Dinner Drinks Entertainment Sponsored by

Evening Dinner and Awards (7.30 pm - Midnight)
- The evening dinner and awards are being held in the marquee. Please ensure you are in you take your seats by 7.20pm in order that we may start promptly at 7.30pm.
- The evening including the bar will end at midnight. For those who wish to continue networking should make their way back to the guest bar Cast Iron Bar.
- ESSA will be creating a playlist of music to play during the dinner, if you have any requests please submit them here

Charity Donation and Raffle Entry
- Different to previous years, by attending the In The Rough Golf day you have automatically been entered into our charity raffle so no need to bring cash on the night.

Dress Code

Suitable golf attire must be worn on the course, i.e. collared polo shirts, golf trousers, skirts or tailored shorts and appropriate golfing footwear.

Dress code for the drinks reception, evening meal and awards will be smart casual.

If you are sponsoring a tee...

We have access to the golf course from 6.30am in the morning and your tee must be set up by 10:30am ready for the shotgun start at 11.00am
How are you getting your supplies out to your tee?
- You are responsible for making sure your tee sponsorship is set up prior to the shotgun.
- If you do require additional support please email info@essa.uk.com as soon as possible with details of the assistance you require. Please ensure that any equipment/supplies are marked with your company name and left outside the marquee between 7am and 9am on the morning of the event and we will ensure that it is delivered to your tee.
- Leaving this to the day may end in disappointment :)

Furniture
- Please note no tee furniture will be provided by ESSA and/or Venue.

Glass
- Please be reminded that you can only bring cans and plastic bottles/cups on to the course due to glass not being permitted and that ice and ice buckets will not be available from the venue.

Your tee competition and prize
- If you are holding a competition on your tee please hand your prize to the ESSA registration at your earliest convenience.
- If you are holding a golf competition please leave the competition score maker on the course as this will be collected by the Golf Pro at the end of the day.
- If you are hosting your own competition and are presenting your prize in the evening please be sure to let one of the ESSA Team know who your winner is at the end of play – thank you.

Download Team Sheet - Team sheet last updated; 09/07/2025